Four Corners–Goodnow Farm Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Four Corners–Goodnow Farm Historic District
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Gates, Goodnow, Old Colony, Rhodes & Thompson Rds., Princeton, Massachusetts |
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| Area | 620 acres (250 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000510 |
| Added to NRHP | August 10, 2015 |
The Four Corners–Goodnow Farm Historic District is a special area in Princeton, Massachusetts. It's like a time capsule, showing how farms and buildings looked from the 1700s to the 1900s. This district is in the western part of Princeton. It centers around where Old Colony, Gates, and Thompson Roads meet. This historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. This means it's recognized as an important place to protect.
A Look at the Past
The town of Princeton began to be settled in the mid-1700s. The main road through this district was once an old Native American path. It was known as the County Road. Today, this road is called Thompson Road to the east and Old Colony Road to the west. Gates Road, which serves the local area, was created in the 1760s.
Early Farms and Homes
One of the oldest farms in the district belonged to Jedediah Brigham. It was started in the 1740s. Many of his family members still live there today. The main part of this farm, including the old house, is one of Princeton's oldest farms.
Another old house is at 114 Gates Road. Isaac Thompson built this house in 1761. His land was near the main intersection.
Why This Area Stayed the Same
Even when many places became industrial, this area stayed mostly farmland. This is because it didn't have much water power for factories. Also, the main railroad lines were built south of the district. This meant the area didn't change much with new industries.
Only a few new homes have been built here since 1950. Most of the other houses are from the mid-1800s or even earlier. The land still looks much like it did long ago. You can see open fields and wooded areas, just like in the past.
